March 2013

Letter from the President – March 2013
by Paul Robear

Greetings! Laura and I have led several informal posture gatherings over the last few weeks and it never fails to amaze how accessible and powerful the experiences are, even for first time participants, using this process of ritual postures. Those who have attended all of the gatherings expressed, with a sense of wonderment, that their experiences have been surprisingly diverse, depending on the posture selected.

One of the significant aspects to the Cuyamungue “CI” Method is that postures can have a specific category of experience. Some postures tend to lead to experiences of healing while others evoke experiences of changing form or hearing specific guidance, or journeying in the world of Spirit. Dr. Goodman, the founder of the Cuyamungue Institute, identified five main categories of experiences: Healing, Metamorphosis, Spirit Journey, Initiation, Divination.

The image to the left is a good example of a divination posture, called “The Mayan Oracle.” Marianne Carroll, a certified instructor of the CI method, took this recent photo in the Princeton Museum. Here is what Marianne shared:

“When I visited The Princeton Museum during the past month, in their Pre-Columbian art section, I discovered the original statue for The Mayan Oracle (along with several others you’d recognize instantly). It was like uniting with old friends! It was a great surprise. A few friends who also do postures were with me and we were so excited and vocal when we saw it that the guard came over, along with some visitors. They all wanted to know what the fuss was about and so I launched into a little explanation. The guard puffed up a bit realizing what true treasures he guards!”

We have found divination postures to be a very effective way to gain insight into a question or situation. Here is more detailed instructions using The Mayan Oracle Posture. There are many paths to evoking a spirit journey and the CI method provides the context for specific types of experiences in a safe and effective way.

Other News. Over the last several Sunday mornings, the CI Board of Directors has held several in-depth conference calls, and will continue to do so. With this opportunity to delve deep into the nuts and bolts of the Institute, we have been learning from our past, assessing where we are now, and planning for the future. There is an ever-expanding energy in the air. Over and over, we hear from first-time participants that this is the fastest, easiest way they have ever experienced to have a direct spirit journey. This process works! When we follow the steps that Dr. Goodman deduced were the simple, common, essential elements that our ancestors the world over were practicing down through time, we again can reaffirm that this is a safe, effective method that anyone can learn. It is the heritage of us all.

Our workshop season is fast approaching and the summer solstice “Initiatory Training” is filling up fast, with only a few openings left. Take a look at our full schedule of workshops and find the right one for you. Bat-Sheva Koren added a new article on her workshop “In The Sacred Space: Who is the Mover?” described below.

As always, I’d like to hear about your experiences. We continue to collect stories from both beginners and advanced practitioners. From time to time we share them here in this newsletter and on our website . Email us with your experiences at [email protected]. More questions? Get in touch with me. We’d love to learn more about you and how you got here and how the Cuyamungue Method has enhanced your life.

In this issue:

In The Sacred Space: Who is the Mover? by Bat-Sheva Koren

The Mind vs. Brain Debate – What is Consciousness? by Christina Sarich

An updated, detailed schedule of upcoming Cuyamungue Workshop and Events

SCROLL DOWN for Articles and Links

In The Sacred Space: Who is the Mover? by Bat-Sheva Koren, PhD

Authentic Movement is an expressive improvisational movement practice that allows a group of participants a type of free association of the body.

The infinite and divine in Direct Experience transform us and bring clarity to the presence of the Spirit. The mystical revealed in stillness, or movement, serves as a container for staying connected in the Spirit, recognizing it, as it is always here.

“Authentic Movement” and “Ecstatic Ritual Body Posture”, at times, flow naturally together, weaving a unity, reminding us of the Connection of the Spirit to the Body as we are the Manifested Spirit. Each method then becomes a form for learning and a sacred place where transformation can arise. Continue to full article

The Mind vs. Brain Debate – What is Consciousness? by Christina Sarich

The mind vs. brain debate has been going on since before Aristotle. He and Plato argued that the soul housed intelligence or wisdom and that it could not be placed within the physical body. In a well-described version of dualism, Descartes identifies mind with the consciousness and self-awareness of itself, with an ability to distinguish itself from the brain, but still called the brain the seat of intelligence.

In yogic science, the mind is considered to be pure vibrating energy. It is an element (non-physical by nature) which conducts “thought” faster than the speed of light and retains all experience whether consciously addressed by the thinker or not. It can create substance from nothing. It contains the aura, or energy body and can project to other minds, and receive from them also. It communicates in the language of feeling. It has a profound effect on the energy level of the physical body, which temporarily houses it, and has the capacity to heal its own physical house as well as that of others. It is often referred to as a Spark of the Divine or as a wave on the vast limitless ocean of the cosmic ever-present possibility of what is. Our minds, due to their nature as a spark or wave of a much greater, infinite intelligence, are capable of unbelievable things… Continue to full article

NEW Book:The Power of Ecstatic Trance: Practices for Healing,Spiritual Growth, and Accessing the Universal Mind by Nick Brink

A guide to ecstatic trance for spiritual and emotional development, spirit journeying, and connecting to the collective unconscious.

Describes more than 20 ecstatic trance postures for healing, divination, spirit journeys, shape-shifting, past-life recovery, and connecting to the Akashic field

Explores the physiology and psychology of ecstatic trance journeying

Provides guidance for those with little or no experience as well as methods to deepen practice

Over the millennia shamanic trance journeying has been used as a way of healing, of providing answers to questions, and of offering solutions to individual, family, and community problems. Though traditionally it was the shaman of the community who went on such journeys, the revolutionary work of the late anthropologist Felicitas Goodman shows that we all have these shamanic powers. Her research on the body postures found in ancient primitive art and in the practices of contemporary shamans offers each of us the ability to experience ecstatic trance journeys firsthand. Continue to full article

Matching Donations in Progress– Report from Laura Lee, CI Director of Outreach and Development

We are more than half-way towards our goal of $10,000 in Matching Donations Campaign, and we have only a few months left to accomplish this. we still need your help! Please contribute NOW to further the work of this Institute. RIGHT NOW is a wonderful opportunity to turn every dollar you donate to the Institute into $2, an opportunity that ends in June. Here is Barbara Clow’s letter detailing their generous offer Continue here for Barbara Clow’s entire letter

Did you know you can use your credit card to make a Paypal donation? You do not need to have a Paypal account! You earn miles while CI earns an extra dollar for every one that you contribute! Here’s the link and instructions on making your Paypal donation: http://www.cuyamungueinstitute.com/make-a-donation/

Contact me with your comments, questions, and suggestions for future campaigns and projects at [email protected].

Invest in yourself! Here is the 2013 workshop schedule at the Cuyamungue Institute.

April 29 – May 10: German Workshop – Ki Salmen is a trainer and teacher for the Felicitas-Goodman Institut in Germany and will host a full week workshop, bringing a group from Germany. Contact Ki

May 3 – 6: Soul Retrieval Workshop – Ki Salmen. In situations of shock, great pain or abuse a person’s life can become so unbearable that soul parts become lost. This work of retrieving soul parts with Body-Postures is a profound self healing process. The exciting news is: you can do it all yourself. More Workshop Information …Contact Ki

June 20 – 23: Solstice Celebration: Initiatory Training Workshop – Paul Robear and Laura Lee. A powerful, compacted introduction to this work. You will be introduced to a succession of trance experiences and initiation. Enjoy the power of the group experience. More Information

July 6: Cuyamungue Explorers Club – This is an afternoon gathering for those who are familiar with the practice of the Cuyamungue Method and want to participate in new posture research and verification. Hosted by Paul Robear and Laura Lee. Contact Paul Robear

July 19 -22 Finding Ecstasy: Applying Your Unique Creative Genius – While Experiencing A Journey Through Self Discovery and Expression using Sacred Postures. Jackie Haworth, Stephanie Stephens, Rae LeCompte. Using the arts to express your experiences will help each of us on our journey through self. You might want to make a mask, write a poem, dance or sing. Follow the path on which your trances lead and be prepared for an adventure. Each of our stories will be woven into the fabric an imaginary tapestry representing how we are each one part of a world community. More Information

August 22 – 25: Authentic Movement & Ecstatic Postures – Bat-Sheva Koren – Authentic Movement creates a space where one can be present in PURE consciousness in the process of transitioning from stillness to movement and back. Holding a Ritual Body Posture facilitated by a rhythm opens an entry into the realm of the Spirit. Both guide our journey to a place where the role of the witness and the mover in the experience may be revealed. If one chooses to listen, the Spirit may guide the experiencing of the alternate reality as complementary to the daily one. Contact Bat-Sheva

August 28 – September 1: Masked Trance Dance – Paul Robear, Laura Lee. Adventure into the depth of inspiration and intuitive guidance as we make masks, costumes, and our experiences will create a mythic story and end in a creation a sacred dance . Contact Paul Robear

September 4- 8: Instructor Training and Certification – Belinda Gore and Paul Robear. How to teach the safe and simple six-step process, known as the Cuyamungue Method. Contact Belinda

September 12 – 15:Gathering of the Grandmothers – Susan Bannister. A retreat for the “Grandmothers” (60 and up) of Cuyamungue. Following in the footsteps of Dr. Goodman, this is an opportunity for us as grandmothers to gather to share in the wisdom tradition of women elders. Contact Susan Bannister

October 3 – 6: First Annual Men’s Conclave – Paul Robear. The time has come for the men of the institute to gather and share the power of the Cuyamungue Method as a group. This will the first time in the history of the Institute that an all male event will be conducted at the Institute. Email me directly at [email protected] for more information.

Want to more information? Email us and we will answer your questions and connect you directly with the workshop instructor(s).

Retrieving the Powers of The Ecstatic Experience,
July 11 -14, 2013 – Millheim, PA More Information

Solstice Celebration – June 19th – 22ndFelicitas Goodman, founder of Cuyamungue Institute
Planning is now underway. Join the Centennial Mailing List if you would like to attend.

2014 marks the 100th anniversary of Felicitas’ arrival on this planet. We want to mark the year with special, international events at Cuyamungue to honor her life and work, welcoming all cultures, languages and including all those around the world who are carrying on her legacy. Our hope is to come together, both in person and via the Internet, to share stories of Felicitas and what her work means to us. This event is open to all, and we need your ideas and participation. We may need to add temporary accommodations and gathering spaces, and for those who desire more comfortable. private accommodations, the beautiful new Hilton at Buffalo Thunder is a short distance away and very reasonable priced. We can negotiate a group of rooms depending on the demand.

If you are inspired to suggest activities and participate on the committee that plans and executes this event, do let me know. It won’t happen without people stepping forward and making it happen! Email me directly at [email protected]

We need your support! The Cuyamungue Institute, like many non-profit organizations, has limited resources. We are proud of the scope of work we have already accomplished, but this is just the beginning — there is much more to do! Here’s how you can participate:

Be a Volunteer – Ask about existing, on-going projects you can help with. Or suggest projects that you can work on, fund, or both!

Attend workshops at the Institute – Bless yourself and CI Workshop fees directly support maintenance of the land and buildings.

Personal Donations – 100% of your donations and gifts go directly to the Institute, and are tax deductible.

Corporate Donations – Your company can have a tremendous impact. Ask us how we can bring our work to your visionaries and leaders!

Also consider making a donation by clicking here. Ongoing research and new applications of this work is only possible with donations made by people like you. Laura Lee, our Director of Outreach and Development, is available to answer your questions and to provide more information. Contact her at [email protected]

Thanks for reading! Please forward this to your friends and acquaintances who will enjoy learning more about us — and please let me hear from you! I am most happy answer andy and all questions about the Institute or the Cuyamungue Method. We welcome all correspondence. Email me directly at [email protected] .